Islam in Latvia

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The presence of Muslims in Latvia was first recorded in the early 1800s. Muslims from mainly Tatar and Turkic backgrounds. Most Muslims were actually brought to Latvia against their will. These included Turkish prisoners of war from the Crimean War and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877. Nearly 100 Turkish prisoners were brought to Everon and Cesis where nearly 30 perished owing to harsh conditions of weather, under no suitable location for warmth and no protection for cold.

[edit] Southerners

In Latvia, the term southerner usually refers to people of Caucasian and Tatar origins, mostly Muslims. There were nearly 1000 Tatar Muslims in Riga by 1890 and Latvian authorities allowed a Muslim cemetery in Riga, next to Pletenberga iela.

[edit] Twentieth Century

In 1902, a Muslim congregation was officially established and recognized by the government. The community elected Ibrahim Davidof as its leader and a prayer hall was also inaugurated. It is worthy to note that majority of Muslims residing in early part of twentieth century were conscripted in Russian army. After release from service, most would leave for Moscow. Many Muslims residing on permanent bases were ordered arrest by Czarist Russia during World War I. The Czarist regime cited security reasons, claiming they were of Turkish origin and could pose a security threat as Ottoman Turkey was fighting Russia in the war. Most were taken to Moscow. During the creation of the Soviet Union and amid civil war, many refugees entered Latvia. These included Muslims of various ethnicities. They were however known to Latvians as Turks. In 1928, Husnetdinov, a Turkic priest, was elected leader of Riga Muslim community. He held that post until 1940.

Under Soviet rule, all religious activities were curbed and Muslims as well as Christians suffered discrimination. Today, most Latvian Muslims enjoy religious freedom and plans are underway to construct a mosque in central part of the city. A large number of Muslim students from various Muslim nations have risen foreign interest in this small but thriving community. According to estimates, there are nearly 5,000 Muslims in Latvia today mostly of Tatar or Turk origin, although only about 10% of them regularly practice their religion.